Seeing the numbers fly in your fuel bill is almost enough to cause physical pain. If your fleet is struggling to combat inflation and rising fuel prices, you’re in need of some serious fuel-saving tips.
We agree — small improvements in fuel efficiency might not seem like they would make much of a difference. But scale these improvements over a number of business vehicles, and you’ll notice big savings.
Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered. Here are four fuel-saving tips for your business fleet:
- Educate Drivers
Fuel often accounts for up to 24–32% of a fleet’s total operating expenses. Educating drivers is one of the most effective ways to transform your largest operating expenses into a source of cost reduction.
Conduct comprehensive training programs, teaching drivers fuel-efficient driving practices. Some important practices include:
- Smooth accelerating and stopping
- Steady highway speeds
- Use of cruise control on highways
- Minimal idling
- Proper following management
Drivers trained in fuel economy will help cut costs and streamline fleet operations.
- Use Fuel Cards
Another excellent way to cut fuel costs is to use fuel cards. These are specialised cards that help companies manage and control fuel expenses for company vehicles.
Drivers use these cards at designated fuel stations for fuel, car wash, and maintenance. They work just like credit or debit cards, but are restricted to vehicle-related purchases. There are numerous benefits of using fuel cards for fleet management, such as:
- Cost savings. Fuel cards often come with discounts, rebates, and even lower fuel prices.
- Reduced administrative burden. With fuel cards, you don’t have to deal with crumpled fuel receipts. Every transaction is recorded on a central dashboard.
- Enhanced control. Fuel cards give clear information on who, when, where, and how much was spent.
Pro tip? Compare different fuel card providers. You can choose between a 7 Eleven fuel card or other providers. Make sure to compare the following features:
- Number of fuel brands included
- Number of non-merchants offered
- Additional services, such as roadside assistance, GPS integration, or a car wash
- Ensure Preventive Maintenance
Well-maintained vehicles help lay the groundwork for fuel efficiency. When a vehicle has properly-inflated tyres and a well-oiled engine, it is less likely to break down in the middle of the highway.
The best thing you can do is schedule regular maintenance checks for all your business vehicles. Identify potential issues before they turn into costly maintenance bills. This will ensure efficient fleet management so you can focus on more critical business opportunities.
- Consider Route Optimisation
Effective route planning can also help businesses reduce fuel costs. It’s all about calculating the shortest, most efficient route to the destination.
The best part? Route optimisation is simpler than ever. As a fleet manager, you can leverage algorithms to determine the best sequence of stops and the most efficient roads. The key is to avoid unnecessary miles, detours, and stops.
Stop-and-go traffic is like the antithesis of fuel efficiency. Route optimisation will make sure vehicles spend less time with engines running. You can also integrate live traffic data to guide drivers to the quickest path.
